Building construction.



I PATENTED APR. 26, 1904. GI A! BUILDING CONSTRUCTION. APPLICATION FILED LTU'IB 11 1902.

H0 MODEL,

TNE uonms PETERS co. womuma. WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES Patented April 26, 1904.

PATENT ()FFICE.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 758,500, dated April 26, 1904.

Application filed Iune 11, 1902.

To all whom 712'; petty concern:

Be it known that I, GUsrAv A. BEHRND, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of the city and county of San Fran- .cisc0,- in the State of California, have invented certain new'and useful Improvements in Building Construction, of which the followingis aspecification.

' This invention is a simple, inexpensive, and efficient system of wall construction comprising an outwardly-exposed skeleton frame that is conjoined and more or less filled in by cement or plaster applied to metal lathing or otherflexible network, which latter is stretched behind the parts of the skeleton frame and secured thereto, all as hereinafter more fully described.

In explaining my invention I shall refer to the accompanying drawings, which are integral with this specification and in which like reference characters indicate like parts in the several figures.

Figure 1 is a detail perspective of a corner of a building, illustrating the fundamental principles of the invention. Fig. 2 is a hori- Zontal longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 a vertical transverse section, respectively, taken from the lines y y and z 2 of Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1 I have shown aportion of aframe comprising parts of side sill A, end sill B, corner post or studding O, and intermediate posts or studding D, a brace E, extending diagonally from the end sill B to the corner-post C, a broken network F. of wire or other metal lath, secured to the inner face of each sill A B, as also to the line of posts C D, a filling G, of cement, concrete, or plaster, against the outer face of this network, and acoat of mortar H on the opposite or interior face of the metallic lath. Now it is the arrangement and combination of frame, metallic lath, cement, &c., that constitute the novel features of this invention.

The main characteristic of my invention is the novel disposition of the framework, the

various parts of which are seen throughout the building-walls, producing a peculiar and pleasing effect not heretofore attained in connection with metal lath and concrete, since, as is well known, it is customary with archi- Serial No. 111,201. (No model.)

tects and builders in general to completely cover and secrete the frame in such constructions. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, I make my skeleton frame of about the same thickness as the wall required, or vice versa. I fill in the spaces between the various parts of the frame .to the full thickness of the frame itself. I do not, however, confine myself to this exact construction, since, as suggested at J, Fig. 2, I

may without departing from the principle that I wish to secure by patent stop short of the frame, and thus allow the frame to extend without or'beyond the thickness of the wall .proper, so as to employ the various parts of the frame or any of themas ornamental pilasters and bars or reliefs for panels.

The first step in my mode of wall construction of course is the providing of a skeleton frame of wood or metal, properly braced to maintain it firm while applying the cement, &c. The only other requisite in this frame is the provision of a transverse key between the wall proper and the preliminary framework, which key preferably consists of a somewhat centrally and longitudinally disposed groove K, of the sills, posts, braces,-and otherparts of the framework. As a substitute for this keying-dado K for the cheapest Wood-frame structures I would simply spike onto the adjacent faces of the rough timbers or scantlings of the frame any ordinary furring-strips or narrow edgings or waste ripping; but for better buildings I prefer the central-groove method. (Illustrated at K in the drawings.) The groove K, it is understood, can be of any suitable shape or cross-section. Any desired system of securing the parts of the frame together may be adoptedsuch as toe-nailing, mortise and tenon joints, dovetailing, offsetting, and bolting, &c.-accofding tothe size, material, and requirements of the structure. For heavy buildings I would disposebetween the sills or foundation and the superlying girts, beams, plates, &c., where expedient, as in long spans, a proper number of clampingrods to hold the posts or pillars positively secure laterally, said rods to be embedded in the cement when reached.

I prefer to secure the metallic lath F to the inner face of the studding C D, as shown in the drawings, and where it is desirable to have the roof built on the same system the lath would be secured to the under face of the rafters. This lath may be any strong durable web of woven or meshed metal or any suitable network that would sufiice to sustain the applied cement and maintain it secure until the latter becomes thoroughly set. The said lath is fastened to the framework by staples or Wired to eyes or loops of the frame. To the outer face of this network F the cement is applied by trowel or other suitable tool, and thereafter, as each coat sets, a consecutive slap-dashing of coat upon coat until the wall is finished. Upon the inner face of the lath F the interior plaster or finish is applied.

The filling Gr is any suitable composition of cement and sand, combined, when desired, with more or less lime or plaster. The first couple of coats should be properly haired, and the sand employed therein should be well sifted. Subsequent coats, except the last, may be sharp cinder concrete, each properly slapdashed and evened up against and upon the preceding coat when the latter is set. The final coats should be sufficiently fine and putty-like to admit of the finish required. The outer coats would of course be colored as required and also be of such a consistency or firmness and thickness as to admit of any desired molding or chiseling for exterior adornment. The same, in fact, may be said of interior plaster or putty coats.

It is to be understood, that this invention is limited to no style of architecture nor size or capacity of structure. Since the web or network to which the cement or mortar is applied is sufiiciently flexible, it is easily bent, curved, or twisted to accommodate any form or disposition of arch, alcove, groinery, or design of molding, cornice or panel work, and every form of newel, tower, steeple, cupola, turret, &c.

Having described my invention, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. The herein-described combination, arrangement, and disposition of parts, in a building, comprising an outwardly-exposed skeleton frame, a network of metal lath stretched behind and secured to the several parts of said frame, a filling of cement, concrete, or plaster worked in the outer face of said network and keyed to said frame parts, said filling being confined within said frame so as not to overlap or cover the exterior surface of the same, and a coat of mortar or plaster on the opposite or interior face of the lathing; substantially as specified.

2. In a building, a Wall comprisingaframe, lathing upon the interior thereof, anormally plastic filling within the frame, the inner face of which filling engages with the lathing and the exterior of which is confined within the frame so as not to overlap or cover the exterior surface of the same, and a key for holding the filling within the frame, substantially as described.

3. In a building, a wall comprisingaframe the members of which are grooved longitudinally, lathing upon the interior thereof, and a normally plastic filling within the frame, the inner face of said filling engaging with the lathing, and its edges with said grooves, substantially as described.

4. In a building, a Wall comprising a frame, lathing upon the interior thereof, and a normally plastic filling within the frame, the inner face of which filling engages with the lathing and the exterior face of which does not extend out to the outer face of said frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GUSTAV A. BEHRND.

Witnesses:

A. H. STE. MARIE, L. MEININGER. 

